My phone buzzed just as I was trying to finish my last lecture notes for the day.
"Morayo!" Lia's voice burst through the speaker, full of energy as if she had been waiting all morning. "Girl! Don't you dare forget about the party tonight. I expect you at my apartment this afternoon. No excuses!"
"I… Lia, I…" I faltered, feeling my chest tighten. "I… I have some things to do…"
"Oh, don't give me that tired song and dance. You're coming. Period," she said, laughing. "Your only job is to show up and let me work my magic."
I sighed and bit my lip. "Okay… okay, I'll come."
Convincing my parents, however, was a different story. I rehearsed a plausible excuse while walking home from class, rehearsed enough to sound casual and responsible.
"Mama, Baba," I began carefully over dinner, trying to keep my tone light and cheerful, "Lia invited me over to her apartment this afternoon. She wants us to work on the group project together. You know… the one we've been putting off for weeks?"
My father raised a skeptical eyebrow.
"Yes, Baba. I'll be studying. We need to finalize our presentation slides. I promise I'll be back early. It's really important for school," I added quickly.
My mother frowned but nodded slowly. "Alright, just… make sure you study properly. No distractions."
"Yes, Mama," I said, my voice steady even though my heart was racing.
And as I went to my room, I reminded myself not to tell Daniel about the party. He would definitely disapprove. A little white lie wouldn't hurt...he trusted me, and this was a rare chance to step outside the safe, quiet bubble of my life.
By mid-afternoon, I was at Lia's apartment. She opened the door before I even knocked, her energy filling the hallway like sunlight.
"Finally! You made it!" she exclaimed, grabbing my bag and tugging me inside. "No complaints, no whining. You're about to be transformed."
"Transformed?" I echoed nervously, glancing at the piles of clothes and shoes she had strewn across the couch.
"Yes! You're going to wow tonight," Lia said, holding up a deep emerald gown. "Try this. I promise it looks amazing on you. And shoes!" She shoved a pair of heels toward me, grinning. "We'll call these your magic steps."
I hesitated, glancing down at my worn flats and jeans. "I… I don't know…"
"Morayo Whitfield, stop worrying. You are beautiful, and tonight, everyone will see it," Lia said firmly, tugging me toward the bedroom. "Now sit. Let me do the rest."
And just like that, I was in Lia's capable hands. She glammed my face up—soft, chic makeup, nothing too heavy but enough to make me look… different, someone I almost didn't recognize. Every brushstroke was full of energy, encouragement, and teasing laughter.
"See? Look at those eyes. You're glowing! And don't even get me started on the hair. You finally look like a woman who belongs on the dance floor."
I laughed despite myself, feeling lighter than I had in months. "I… I hope people don't stare too much."
Lia snorted. "Morayo, of course they will! But that's not your problem. Your job is to have fun and look fabulous. I'll handle the rest."
By the time we were fully ready, the transformation felt complete. I stared at myself in the mirror—gown hugging me perfectly, heels adding a confident sway to my posture, soft makeup highlighting features I barely noticed before. Lia clapped her hands, stepping back to admire her work.
"Girls night out, Morayo. And tonight, you shine," she said, looping her arm through mine.
I smiled genuinely for the first time all day. With Lia beside me, teasing, hyping, and pushing me gently out of my comfort zone, I realized how much I needed this.
The ride to the party wasn't just a journey across town. It felt like stepping into a different life; one filled with light, laughter, and the kind of friendship that could make even the most timid heart feel fearless.
And I was ready.